Indian government suspends Kashmir’s internet service for a month

Amid student protest, Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday ordered the suspension of Internet services in the Valley for one month.

The Home Department issued the order to this effect in exercise of powers conferred under the Indian Telegraph Act, an official said in Jammu.

Mobile Internet services have remained suspended since April 19 following widespread student unrest in the Valley.

Authorities had also blocked over 300 WhatsApp groups that, the government said, had been spreading rumours to stoke passions among the youth during the volatile situation in Kashmir.

Interestingly, Wednesday’s executive order did not mention whether the suspension order would be applicable to only mobile Internet services or also include fixed line broadband connections that are still working in the Valley.